Here’s a costume idea from the Eighties, from one of the biggest pop stars of the decade, Michael Jackson. In 1987, almost five years after the release of his previous album, Thriller, Michael Jackson released his seventh studio album, Bad. The album was, and probably still is, a huge commercial success, even if it didn’t do as well as Thriller in terms of total sales, selling millions of copies around the world, being one of the top 30 best-selling albums of all time, and having five Billboard Hot 100 number one singles, one of currently only two albums to do so, and the first to achieve it. It was also critically acclaimed and often makes lists of the greatest albums of all time.
The titular song of the album, Bad, also had a long music video made for it, effectively an 18 minute short film. The video depicts a teenager named Daryl (Jackson), who, after the introductory scene, starts dancing whilst dressed in black leather. This song and outfit is the one that can be used as an Eighties (or, for the more morbid, dead celebrity) costume idea, as this is one of the most distinctive Michael Jackson outfits from the period.
The Head
The only real thing for the head would be a wig to emulate Michael’s rather styled shoulder length curls.
The Body
Michael Jackson wore a black leather jacket, pulled up from the forearms, and with many chromed metal accompaniments, mostly buckles. On his hand, he wore fingerless black leather gloves, which also had chromed metal. There were really two belts, both lighter and with metal studs on, allowed to ride over the hips. The belts also had attached metal dangling from them, short chains that were fastened at both ends. The trousers were quite simple, as most of the decoration was on the jacket, so a plain pair of tight black jeans will do.
The Feet
These were boots, also in black leather, and also had silver buckles on them.